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Microsoft Launches Multitouch Surface Computing

iMikeT said:
Apple, Inc. just announced a product with a similar interface months ago at Mac World? They call it the iPhone and it will be available next month at an affordable price that the average person can even travel with it!
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An affordable price?!


On another note, how many of you have actually watched the two videos (linked conveniently below) showing off the Surface?

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217348.html
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9723647-1.html?tag=cnetfd.mt <-- This one's even better than the first
 
Where do you take this thing when it BSoD's

Geek Squad?

Carpenter? Who knows.

I wanna see Steve Ballmer running around on a stage with one of these.:D
 
First of all: this isn't really "innovative" as such: I have seen demonstrations of the various technologies long ago. It just seems that Microsoft took all that, and combined them in to one.

But anyone who thinks that this is not cool, is deluding themselves. Had this been an Apple-product, you guys would be creaming your pants. But it's not, it's from Microsoft, and that makes it a "glorified touchscreen-kiosk". Yeah, and iPhone is "yet another cell-phone".

That said... This thing costs 5.000 - 10.000 bucks. And I haven't heard of availability. What if we would be getting an iMac with similar technology in the very near future, and it would cost just 1000+ bucks? Apple already has the technology...
 
credit to MS

hey guys, I guess MS deseves some credit here, for being faster or giving a better offer to Jeff Han for snapping up this technology. Apple buys up things too and presents it as an Apple development.
Apple could have done something with this technology, and remembering threads after we saw the Jeff Han video, we all wanted this tech to be added to the new Macs etc..
If this is to happen now, don't be surprised if Apple ends up licencing it from MS..... aaaaaaaarrrghhhh
 
about the screen..

so when you get the inevitable MS "Blue Screen of Death", are you able to rearrange it? :)
 
CmdrLaForge said:
Hmm. Let's see.

Microdoft "invents" a coffee table where I can use 2 fingers two resize pictures at a price point of about $10000 and I can't take it anywhere.

Apple invents the iPhone. . . where I can use 2 fingers two resize pictures at a price point of about $500 and I can take it everywhere.

Hmm.

Microdofts coffee table already looks like yesterworlds technology to me.
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So, you are comparing a cell-phone with 3.5" screen to a table with 30" screen, and declare the former a winner? is it just me or are these two products totally different in just about every possible way? The only thing they have in common is multi-touch. But that does not mean that the two are in any shape or form comparable.

If you really think that Surface and iPhone are somehow similar, you are suffering from some kind of serious head-trauma.
 
I don't see how having to put one device physically onto another makes it easier.

I'd rather have paired devices that can play "throw" and "catch" with each other from a distance. Since these devices are wireless anyways...it's much easier to "throw" your photos from your phone and "catch" them into your computer. You could even have preset catch behavior for certain devices, a "throwing" from a camera starts up iPhoto, "throwing" from different parts of the iPhone syncs contacts, photos, playlists...etc. Your computer any search for devices to play "throw and catch" with, someone in the area with his camera can "throw" towards your computer and you can catch or duck the throw. The basics are already out there...someone just needs to make pairing and transfer a more elegant experience.

The only thing the large multi-touch surface brings to the table is in resizing, rotating and scrolling...and of course cost.
 
I can't believe some of the posts I'm reading.

If Apple demonstrated the exact same technology, many of the people criticizing this would be saying how groundbreaking and innovative the technology is. I'm sure many of you decided you didn't like the new product before it was even announced.
 
This is obviously (as an above poster suggested) an effort by microsoft to be seen as innovating in the manner of apple and the like, but none the less the technology is very impressive.

If Apple had come out with something like this (on a consumer based product) we would be in raptures im sure.

But as someone who has used MS products for years... i have to say that this is obviously a product based on 'better' technology than microsoft is currenty caple of. I mean as good as it is, it is a blatant rehash of alot of the iphone features (just look at the music swapping features - in particular the album covers which flip over to reveal track listings, and of course the pinch action image resizing!). Microsoft has put there vast resources behind this (very apple like implementation) in order to be seen in an innovative light.

But im pretty sure that if they had to implement this technology into the current windows OS/tech in any way... that they would find it very difficult to do! Especially with all of the awkward propritary formats that MS love to push so much, driver issues & compatabilty headaches - among so many other reasons.

This is not a diss on the amazing technology MS have demoed... but this whole thing just seems like MS has backed someone elses technology that seems to me to be straight out of the Apple book of design and implemetation - and certainly not something that microsoft has had much of a hand in themselves, not like apple has.

I know who im putting my money on to implement this in a more consumer friendly way - first. I feel that apple could have this in a working imac / portable within a year or so and have it completey intergrated with mac OSX. MS on the other hand - i just cant see it ever happening - at least not with any true integration with the current crop of windows os/tech

Just my 2pence :)
 
TheAnswer said:
I don't see how having to put one device physically onto another makes it easier.
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Well, it might be because the interaction would seem logical to us. We are putting things in to other things all the time. But when it comes to putting things in to digital devices, we are supposed to attach cables and push buttons. None of that actually reminds us of putting things in to other things.
 
localoid said:
I can foresee a multi-touch chair being introduced next, allowing the twitch of one's butt-cheeks to replace the clicking functions of a mouse.
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But if Apple made one then one buttcheek wouldnt be used. Youd have to hit :apple: + cheek.
 
I thinks this thing looks pretty cool, even if MS developed it. If I was in a cafe and there where 5 regular tables and one of these, i'd definitely would try and get a seat there.

It might get boring after a while, but it still pretty damn awesome.
 
All of the complaining. I bet if this same thing was made by Apple everyone would be singing a different tune :rolleyes:

Frankly, I don't care who made it. That is the coolest f**king thing I've seen in a long time and I want one :D Very impressive.


And why the hell are people comparing this to the iPhone? 2 completely different products here. Grow up people.
 
SonicRage said:
I can't believe some of the posts I'm reading.

If Apple demonstrated the exact same technology, many of the people criticizing this would be saying how groundbreaking and innovative the technology is. I'm sure many of you decided you didn't like the new product before it was even announced.
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Glad to see there are several people thinking rationally. Some people root for Microsoft to fail to make Apple look better.

I like Puma shoes. Should I make sarcastic remarks and hope that Nike shoes fall apart? If you think that's stupid, take a look around.
 
hmmmm....

.

I have to ask, "Why Microsoft?" Did Apple have a shot?:eek: :eek: :eek:

I really hope that Apple didn't turn down Jeff Han on some big project or collaboration because they were greedy for a cut or something (like the Verizon iphone deal).:mad: :mad: :mad:

That would suck!!!

Can you imagine this incorporated with editing in Logic or Garageband? There could be some amazing audio applications.
 
Interview with Steve Jobs

Jobs was asked about the Surface Computer and scoffed:

"$10,000! Fully subsidized! With a plan. That's the most expensive table in the world. And it doesn't appeal to business customers because it doesn't have a keyboard which makes it not a very good email machine."

:)
 
Evangelion said:
Well, it might be because the interaction would seem logical to us. We are putting things in to other things all the time. But when it comes to putting things in to digital devices, we are supposed to attach cables and push buttons. None of that actually reminds us of putting things in to other things.
Click to expand...

It would be so much simpler if the OS would sync with local devices when they came into proximity and if some predetermined behavior happened when this proximity occurred with a paired device (like happens when we insert CDs, DVDs, etc).

Maybe "catch" and "throw" isn't quite the right metaphor...maybe "grab", "catch" and "throw"...someone at a computer could "grab" from and "throw" to pre-paired devices and ask to "grab" at other local devices. Device or computer users could "throw" items at local non-paired devices or computers and those users could choose to "catch" or not.

The basic actions are there already...only the elegant implementation is missing.

I just think limiting it to a strictly physical interact is not as useful as it could be...I'd much rather be able to "grab" photos from all the cameras/phones of all my party guests, "grab" my photos and "catch" and "throw" contacts from/to my phone that's charging in the other room, etc.
 
curmi said:
Jobs was asked about the Surface Computer and scoffed:

"$10,000! Fully subsidized! With a plan. That's the most expensive table in the world. And it doesn't appeal to business customers because it doesn't have a keyboard which makes it not a very good email machine."

:)
Click to expand...


Oh no, Jobs.... that sounds like a statement to regret :eek: :eek: :eek:

The fact is, the ideas in the demo are so original... of course it will probably have a keyboard screen where you can just type on the glass, etc.
 
TheAnswer said:
It would be so much simpler if the OS would ask to sync with local devices when they came into proximity and if some predetermined behavior happened when this proximity occurred.

Maybe "catch" and "throw" isn't quite the right metaphor...maybe "grab", "catch" and "throw"...someone at a computer could "grab" from and "throw" to pre-paired devices and ask to "grab" at other local devices. Device or computer users could "throw" items at local non-paired devices or computers and those users could choose to "catch" or not.
Click to expand...

Perhaps something like what I suggested above (page 7)?

bobdgil said:
I think when a bluetooth device comes in to range, a little arrow or some label should point in the direction of the device along the edge, to which photos etc. can be dragged. That would help with scratching etc.
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5-10k to move around photos and video?

This is clearly for the rich and famous.

Technology lags. Product developers clearly don't want to leap too far, except for people that create products like the Red One camera and make major manufactures (sony, jvc, panasonic) real mad.

Remember the pacman table? With all the capabilities of technology today, all microsoft can do is add a somewhat advanced touch screen? (slight exaggeration)

Obviously there will be other new and exciting ways of using this new table....but it aint that revolutionary.
 
SonicRage said:
If Apple demonstrated the exact same technology, many of the people criticizing this would be saying how groundbreaking and innovative the technology is.
Click to expand...

Your premise is off. I don't think Apple would have ever put out something like this. Overall, the technology looks great (if it really exists) but the concept of dropping it into a table... WTF? Seriously, just think of how many fundamental ways that limits how this can be used. Apple gives a lot of thought to how people actually use things. I don't think they would have ever come to the conclusion that an iTable is their next move.
 
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